Cereal puffing machine



Jan. 24, 1956 F. c. VAN ARsDELL ErAL 2,731,904

CEREAL PUFFING MACHINE Filed sept. 19, 1951 s sheets-sheet 1vIIs/I/Els/Tom m50 c. VAN Afrsneu a aus@ a. GusrAvsa/J T TOR/JEVS Jan.24, 1956 F. c. VAN ARsDl-:LL `ETAL 2,731,904

CEREAL PUFFING MACHINE Filed Sept. 19, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q ikINVENTORB FRED C. VAN ARSDELLB ELMER 6. GUSTA VSON T7'0HAIEYS Jan 24,1956 F. c. VAN ARsDELl. Erm. 4 2,731,904

CEREAL PUFFING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 19, 1951 am mw MDV 3Nsu r Ens u W5 Y n I M6 uw a r www# am. ma 9 Y B l 2 M F nIvH I 2 I. 4 82 2 5| 2 0 VIVL! K il m 9 m um M Jan. 24, 1956 F. c. vAN ARsDELL r-:TAL2,731,904

CEREAL PUF'FING MACHINE Filed sept. 19, 1951 s sheets-sheet 4 IN V ENTORS ATTORNEYS JUL 24, 1956 F. c. VAN ARsDELL ETAL 2,731,904

CEREAL PUFFING MACHIN Filed Sept. 19. 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 UIN. V

IN VEN TORS FHM C. VAN ARSDE LL 8 E LME R 6. GUSTVS/V F/a5 BY fp Jan.24, 1956 F. c. vAN ARsDELL ETAL 2,731,904

CEREM.. PUF'F' ING MACHINE med sept. 1s. 1951 s sheets-sheet e 24e0,22254 I 25a Msmz E ,so F/a a BY ELMER G. GUSTVSN ,f Q |54 |42 I@ TmArron/mrs Jan- 24, 1956 F. c. VAN ARsDELL ErAL 2,731,904

CEREAL PUFFING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed sept. 19, 1951 sa www wr nNon N Ess n VRU o N A6 1 T T MQWVWYA Jan.' 24, 1956 F. c. VAN ARSDELL.vErm, 2,731,904

CEREAL PUFFING MACHINE Filed Sept. 19, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENT FREDVAN ARSDEL ELMER GUSTVSON AT TRNEYS 2,731,904 l CEREAL PUFFINGMACHINEFred C. Van `ArsdellyMedina, and Elmer G. Gustavson, Stow, hio,`assignors to The' Quaker Oats Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation ofNewJersey Application September 19,1951, Serial No.v 247,271

` 39 Claims. (Cl. 99 238) pulling cereals, such` as` wheat,V rice, cornand thelike, for the manufacture o f breakfast cereals. The principlesof the invention, however, may beemployedinrthe treat ment of materialsor commoditieswhichrare subjected to heat andpressure invclosed guns orchambers andV then the pressure suddenly released, resulting theexplosion of the materials. C Y s s d l lThe invention is shown in theform in which it has been perfected for therputi'ing of wheat, and for,the purpose of describing ,the invention Vin its best known andpreferred fonn, the details of the mechanism will be described indetail. It will be understood that the invention in its broader aspectsis not limited to the details shown and described but may be modied,varied andimproved uponwithin the scope thereof asV set forth in theappended claims. n

It is the purpose of the invention to improve upon machines for thisgeneral purpose.with a view to increasing production, reducing labor andsupervision costs, and to produce the-finished product with greateretliciency. The machine shown and `described herein operatesautomatically, requiring the attention of only one operator, theproduction of the machine exceeding that produced in thebest knownmachines of theprior art several fold. In addition to the above, thequality of the product-is greatly improvedV and the loss due `toimproperly puffed products is greatly reduced.

The` present invention relates `primarily to the art of The invention isan improvement-over the .apparatus shown in the Andrews Patent No.2,414,185, which, up to the advent of the instant invention, representedthe most eicient machine for putting cereals or the like.

It is one of the objects of the` invention to provide a machine of thetype specified in which there isa continuously rotating turret or gunmounting, adapted to carry a plurality of guns or chambers in which theclosures or heads of the several guns are closed and locked while theturret is moving, and then the gun heads are released to explode thegrain. The raw material is fed to the guns as they pass a loading pointand the heads or closures are lowered on to the ends of the guns andlocked. Steam at the requisiteppressure is admitted to the gunspreferably shortly before the heads are closed. The heads are thensecurely locked in position and during the greater part of the cyclesteam is admitted at a controlled rate of ilow and the pressure buildsup to the required point until the contents of the guns are ready forthe explosion, when the gun heads are released. Y

Only a few minutes are required for a gun to complete the cycle and gunsare discharged at intervals of less than thirty seconds. The particularsof temperatures and times for any product may be readily determined andare not essential to an understanding of the invention or to enable oneconversant with this art to duplicate the apparatus and to operate itsuccessfully.

It is preferred to use the apparatus of this inventionv in conjunctionwith the preheating or the raw material. In the production of puiedwheat, forI example, the preheating of the grain gives improved resultswhen used with the apparatus of the present invention. The process ofpreheating grains and suitable apparatus for the purpose are fully shownand described in the prior copending application of Rupp andProescholdt, Serial No. 165,764, led June 2, 1950, issued as Patent No.2,698,799 to which reference is made.A It is not necessary, therefore,to enter into a discussion of that invention, it being suiiicient herehas a standard measuring device which discharges the correct amount ofgrain for a gun. Several types of measuring ,devices are known and any one of these may be used. r[11e measuring device is automaticallyactuated by the progression of the several guns through the loadingstation. t

The` major-features of the invention having been stated, reference ismade to the drawings and to the detailed In ,the drawings:

Fig'. 1 is `a `side' elevation of a complete pulling unit;

. Fig 2 is a plan View, certain ofthe guns being broken away to show theinternal construction;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4y is an enlargedV section through the left hand end of the mainshaft for supporting the gun turret, showing the-steaminlet mechanismand distributor. The location ofwthis cross ection is indicated by theline 4 4 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 5 isan elevation of one ofthe guns, this View being 4taken on theline 5 5 of Fig. 7 and showing the gun in closed andlocked condition.

Fig. 5a is a view Vshowing the position of the locking arm just beforethe closure is locked.

Fig. 5b s a section` on the line 5b 5b of Fig. 5a.

Fig. 6 is a .view looking at the end of a gun, the location of the viewbeing shown by theline 6 6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7 7 of Fig; 5, showing the details ofthev closure locking mechanism.

Fig. 7a is a detailed view of the eccentric for the locking mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8 8 of Fig. 3, showing the cam track foroperatingthe locking mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a side view of the locking cam, the location of thisview beingshown by the line 9 9 of Fig. 8.v

Fig. 10 is a side View of the latch device for seizing the gun closureand preventing it from rebounding after the explosion.

Fig. 11 is a section on the'line 11 11 of Fig. 10.

. ig. 12 is a section taken on the line 12 12 of Fig. 2, through thecushioning device which receives the impact of,the heads as the guns areexploded.

Fig. 13 is a section through the bumper for the closure onthe line 13 13of Fig. 2.

Figs. 14.and` 15 are sections through the distributor forthesteamisupply taken respectively on the lines 14 14 and 15 15 of Fig.4.

Fig. 16 is` a side view of the distributor on the liner I 16 16 of Fig.4.

Fig. 17 is a section on the line 17 17 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 18 is a detailed section of the bumper for the locking arm on theline 18-18 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 19 is an enlarged detail of the mounting for the gun-closure.

` The machine frame and driving mechanism The machine is supported lupon a stout framework which comprises two parallel horizontal beamswhich, as shown, are composed of two oppositely facing channels weldedtogether. The beam to the left of Fig. 3 is given the reference numeral1 and that to the right the reference numeral 2. At the left of Fig. 2the beams are connected by a cross channel 3 and at the right a crosschannel 4. The beams 1 2.'suppor t' the gun turret which is given thegeneral referen'celetterT and which rotates in clockwise direction, vasshownlbythe arrow in Fig. 1.

The beams are supported upon and welded to a rectangular frameworkcomposed of uprights 5 and a base 6, it being noted thatthebearnsoverhangthe supporting framework to the left of Fig. 1, whi h is thearea marked A in which the guns are exploded and at int a bin (notshown) may be located to receive the' contents ofthe guns as they aresuccessively explodel.I

, On the beams is located a rectangular'superstructure composed ofvertical corner posts 8 of heavy ar'igle iron andhorizontal cross angles10 Welded together and forming a support for several lcam rails'todescribed;V A t the upper corner of the superstructure over the pledingstation is the loading station B, at which point secured to thesuperstructure'thelower end of a feed chute 12 through which the grainybrother material passes to the delivery spout 1,3 and thence'tothefseveral as they linove beneath the'V discharge en d of thel chute.YAs

explained above, for 'thepuf'ng of `cereals thisjehute leads from apreheating unit and in the.V chute is a-f charge measuring device 'suchas shown inf the'prior et al. application, which'is operated inVsynchronism 'with/the movement of the gun'turet to deliver the correctcharge for each gun. The charger 'isy actuated by vanv electric switch14 carried by a bracket 15. 4 The switch is located in the path of theopen gunA closures, as will be described, it being sufficient `for thepresent to state that as the sev# eral guns pass beneath the end ofthe'chute the' switch 14 will be depressed momentarily by the closure,which passes an electrical impulse to the charger, and the measuredcharge of grain falls into the open mouth of each gun, the speed of theturret being such as to allow all of the charge to flow into each gun asit moves past lthe loading point B. As will be explained, should, :forany reason, a gun head fail to be retained'in open position after anexplosion, the switch 14 will not be operated and no grain will passthrough the delivery chute into that particular gun.

The lower end of the chute 12 is provided above the spout 13 with ashiftable damper 16 which normally stands in the position shown in Fig.1, but which vmay be moved by a lever 17 to bypass the charge through asecondary chute 18 should it be necessary for any reason to operate themachine without charges of material in the guns.

The turret T is keyed to a main shaft 20 between the two beams 1 and 2and at a point substantially rnidway of the beams. The shaft is mountedin bearings 21 and 22, tixed to the beams 1 and 2, respectively.V.tshonlder 24 on the shaft 20 forms an abutment for one sideof the hub25 of the turret, bolts 26 passing through the shoulder into the hub. Asleeve 2'! keyed to the .shaft 2,0 and spanning the space between theother side of the hub and the bearing 22 likewise locates theturret. Dueto the violence of the successive explosions, it is -necessary to adoptthe means shown, or its equivalent, to prevent dislocation of theturret.

At the side of the machine is a platform 3), on which is located themotor 31 which, through belts 32, drives a speed regulating and reducingunit 34; The output side of the unit 34, through chain 35, drives asprocket secured to the right hand end of the shaft 20 (Fig. 3). Thespeed of rotation of the shaft 20 is governed by the requirements of thegrain or material being puffed and is a relatively slow movement toallow for the treatment of the gun contents. Y

The guus and starmi supply The turret T is. shawn as .0f Octagonfitte-ration! so. as.

. 4 s to accommodate eight separate treating chambers, or guns as theyare commonly called. This is chosen as a 'convenient number, but more orless chambers may be ernployed. The turret has been partially described.It has an outer, overhanging flange 40, the surface of which is formedwith the eight at lands 41, on each of which is mounted a chamber orlgun.Y All the guns are alike and are given the reference numeral 42. Theinner end of a gun is provided with a rectangular boss which ts in arecess 43 in a land 41. From each gun extends a radial sleeve 45 passingthrough a bore in thevange V40. The outer en d of the sleeve is threadedto receive avpair of lock nuts 47 which hold the gun in position.

Through the center of each sleeve is a conduit 49, the inner end ofwhich is formed with a rounded head 50 having a plurality of passages 51radiating from the conduit to admit steam into the interior of the gun.It will be noted that the passages radiate in all directions so that thesteam entering thechamber is thoroughly disseminated throughout thecontents of the gun. As the gun is'rotating about the axisof the turret,Vall vof the grains will be reached by the steam.

The inner end of each conduit l49. is threaded and lock nuts 53 hold theconduits in place. Each conduit is connected to the elbow of a pipe 54in which is located an adjustable valve 55 by which the amount of steamentering each gun is regulated. At ythe side o f each valve 55 is 'asecond valve 56 which can be used to shut 0H all steam from entering anygun without disturbing the adjustment at valve 55. f

The several pipes 54 are seated in notches in the rim of a plate 58formed as a iiange on a split collar 60 clamped about the shaft 20 atone side of the turret. From the valves 56 to the outer end of the shaftand through the bearing l21, the surface of the shaft is provided with aplurality of longitudinal grooves 62 equally distributed'around theshaft and equal in number to the guns on the turret. From each valve 56is extended a exible tube 64, usually of brass, which extends radiallyinward from the valve and is then bent at right angles to lie in one ofthe grooves 62 inside of the outer surface of the shaft.

In a socket 65 in the outer end of the shaft is threaded the inner endof a plug or rod 67 shown in vdetail in Fig. 4. A central portion of theplug is partially reduced as at 68 and fitted over this area is a sleeve70 which rotates with the turret and is provided with a plurality ofpassages 71 equal to the number of tubes 64. The inboard side of thesleeve is provided with threaded sockets 72 communicating with thepassages 71, in which are threaded several couplings 74 which connectthe passages 71` and the tubes 64.

Beyond the area 68, the plug 67 is further reduced as at- 76, over whichis the bearing sleeve 77 on which is mounted the stationary ring-shapeddistributor 78. An Lfshaped bracket '79 is adjustably secured to thebeam 1 by. bolts 79a. The vertical arm of the bracket 79 terminates in ahorizontal projection 80 in which are two arcuate slots`81. Bolts 82pass through vthese slots and enter the distributor 78. The outer end ofthe plug is threaded andlock nuts 84 and a thrust bearing 85 bearagainst the projection 80 and clamp the distributor in position againstthe sleeve 70, the slots 81 and bolts 82 permitting a limited rotaryadjustment of the distributor for the purpose to be explained.

The inner end of the distributor 73 has annular ribs 88 which tit incorresponding grooves 89 cut in the outer end of the sleeve andsurrounding the ports tothe passages '71. Concentric gaskets 9) areseated in the grooves 89 to make a steamtight'joint at these points.Bctween the ribs 183, a deep groove 92 is cut in the end ot thedistributor and in this lgroove is force fitted a mutilated ring 24having two orrnore ports y9.5, therein which Cfeitibat with a Space 96between the. Qutertaecf. ring 9.4 and the adjacent surface of the sleeve7h.y The Y5 ports 95 and corresponding ports 97'in .the distributorconduct steam from a socket 98 in the distributor to the space 96, asteam line 100 being connected to the socket 98 by a coupling A101.

It is necessary to the operation of the machine that steam be admittedto the several gunsduring the period of their travel immediately afterthe charge is admitted to each gun and the closure or head of the gun isclosed to the point of explosion, but desirable to shut off the steamduring the period that each gun is open. In actual practice, it isadvisable to admit steam to the ygun just before the closure is broughtagainst the mouth of the gun to insure that the gun is filled with livesteam before it is closed, and also to continue to admit steam to thegun for a short period after the closure is released to scavenge the guncompletely. During the balance of the travel from station A to stationB, no steam should be admitted to the gun. The exact points at whichsteam is admitted and then shut olf are capable of adjustment so as toinsure perfect working of the machine.

For the several reasons stated, the `ring 94 is Vcutaway for about onefourth of its complete circumference, as is shown in Fig. 15, whichcorresponds to that portion of the complete cycle in which steam is shutoff from the guns. In this space between the ends of the ring, andpositioned thereby, is located the short arcuate block or filler piece105, the thickness of which is slightly greater than the depth of thespace 96. This filler piece is backed up by springs 106 seated insockets 107 in the distributor so that the filler piece is pressedagainst the surface of the sleeve 70 to close olf the passages 71 duringthe arc of travel between the explosion of the guns and the closing ofthe several heads thereon, as has been described.

The purpose of the rotary adjustment of the distributor allowed by thearcuate slots 81 is to permit the distributor to be moved one way or theother, which will likewise move the liller piece 105 and determine theexact time when the admission of steam into passages 71.is to be shutoff.

It is desirable that during the treatment of grain, or other materialsof like nature, that a small amount of steam be released or bled fromthe guns during the treatment. Unless this provision is made, thecontents of the gun will not puff properly. Only a small proportion ofthe gaseous contents need escape and a convenient means is to provide asmall adjustable bleed valve or pet cock 108 set in the wall of eachgun, the steam being permitted to escape into the room.

The gun closures Each gun consists of a main body portion, to which thenumeral 42 has been applied, a pivoted closure, or head as it is morefrequently called, and a locking mechanism.

Around the outer end of each groove in which is located a compressiblegasket 110, usually of metal. This gasket is held in place by a llangedring 111, one part of which overlies the gasket and the other partsurrounds the end of the gun where it is provided with bayonet slots 112engaging pins 114 set in the gun. By rotating the ring 111, the gasketis drawn tightly in position on the rimof the gun. A cap lscrew 113 maybe employed to Vhold the ring 111 in` locked position.

On one side of each arm 116, the outer end and provided with atransverse bearing pin 118, one end of which is headed, held in place bya split locking ring 119. On this pin is pivoted the lid or head,indicated as a whole by the numeral 120. The perfected form of head isshown in detail in Figs. 3, 6 and 19.V it comprises gun is machinedrashallow gun is formed` theheavy ioffset a main arm 121 which is pivotedon the pin 118 `and .ex-f tends across the mouth of the gun. The outerend of the arm is formed with 'a' transverse groove or seat 123 toreceive the locking member, as will be described.

of which is forked, as at '117,'

The central portion of the arm 121 at the axis ofthe gun isl providedwith a threaded openingin which is lo-i cated a threaded sleeve 125.Fitting loosely within lthe sleeve is the stem 127 of a closure againstthe top of the gasket end of the sleeve and the 110. The lower or inne'rupper or outer end of the sleeve are formed with rounded surfaces formedas por-- tions of concentric spheres. The lower end-of the sleeve bearsagainst a correspondingly domed surface of a ring together.

This construction is for the purpose of providing an adjustable oatingmounting for the closure so that it will locate itself in full contactwith the end of the gun and lit tightly against the gun when the arm 121is moved to closedposition. Adjustment is made by turning the closurewhich, through the keys, rotates the sleeve 125 to bring the closure atthe required distance from the arm. When this is done the nut 133 isbrought down to a point close to but not touching the upper end of thesleeve, and then a cotter pin is inserted in the slots of thecastellated nut 133 to hold the mechanism together. The whole on, andbeing allowed to rotate to the extent desired about the sphericalsurfaces on the ring 130, the ends of the sleeves and the underside ofthe nut 133, all of which are concentric.

A heavy dome shaped cap 136 covers the closure ad- 'usting means, beingthreaded at itsrinnerV end `to the threaded portion of the sleeve 125which projects above the ann 121. The cap acts as the striker memberwhich contacts the bumper (to be described), tiies open at the releaseof the locking member.

On the4 side of each gun opposite the on the side of the which forms thesupport for the head locking lever which bears the general numeral 142.The lever 142 consists of two parallel arms of somewhat S-shape near thecenter of which is the pin 141. The arms extendfrom a point adjacent theclosure to a point near the shaft 20.` Across the outer ends of the armsis a bearing pin 144,

this pin,

passes into register with the of the closure, to hold the Fig. 3. At apoint below by a cross plate 148 bolted ably mounted on the inner end ofeach pin 150 is a cam I roller 154 which engages cam tracks, to be laterdescribed, which hold the lever in locking position while the severalguns are moving to the explosion point A. The locking position is shownin Fig. 3 and also to the right in Fig. 2. As veach gun approaches theexplosion point, the arm 142 is rockedl by the cam track to move theroller 147 out of the'seat 123, whichreleases the head and it ies openunder the internal pressure within the gun to the position shown at theleft of Fig. 2, the arm assuming the position shown in that portion ofthe view.

The head remains in open position and the arm renliarnsI plate 128,which litsv when the head is located a roller 147 which, whenl of eachpair of arms is boltedl in its outer position until after the charge ofnew grain is delivered to`the gun, whereupon the head is lowered ontothe top of the' gun by separate cani tracks for the purpose, 'and thelever 142 is moved by a second cam mechanism to be described, bringingthe roller 147 into register with the groove 123. As the roller 147 mustmove into the groove 123 and then be moved toward the gun to clamp theclosure in place, the lever 142 is rst shifted outwardly and then movedinwardly with a powerful squeezing movement. to lever 142 by a secondlever referred to as the squeeze leiterl to be described.

The explosion moves the head with great violence and the head isarrested by a bumper to be described. The force of the explosion alsothrows the upper end of the lever 1 42 outwardly with considerableforce. To arrest the arms 142 and to absorb the shock, there is weldedacross the outer end of each arm a striker plate 155, and mounted on'theframe, in position to be struck by the plate 155, is a bumper block 157vshown in Fig. 2 and in detail in Fig. 18. This block is a hardwoodblock which is secured by bolts 158 in a socket in the face of anangular bracket 159 secured to the beam 2 by bolts 160.

The squeeze lever referred to above is given the general referencenumeral 170 and is shown more particularly in FigSQS, a, 5b, 7 and 7a.

YThe central portion 162 of the pivot pin 141, which is Vin the bearinglug 140, is an eccentric which is surroundedby a bearing sleeve 163. Atthe sides of this part of the pin are the two bearing surfaces 165 whichare eccentric to the main or central portion of the pin. It is onthesetwo bearing surfaces that the arms y142 are mounted. Extending toeither side of the surfaces 165 are squared projections 166.

' Osier these squared projections are received the split forks 16S oftwo lever arms which, together, constitute the squeeze lever 170. Theinner surfaces of each fork 168 is likewise squared so that the twolever arms 179l move with the pin 141. Atransverse bolt 1711'agt e'hfQrlC Clamps the arm 'to the pin. The two' lever arms 171i extend towardthe inner end of the companion lever 142, but diverge therefrom as shownin Figs. 5 and Ska. The arms`'are connected at their'free ends by across plate 175 welded and bolted to the ends of the leyer's. In thiscrossplate is secured,`by nut v176 the bearing pin V177 of Va camroller178'.` 'l'his carn roller, laged by a' further cam track to bedescribed, which Qvw the end, of the arm 1,21 and then move it inwardlyto draw the head against the mouth of the gun.

' Thelsqueeze lever 17,0 moves about the'a'xis formed by Vthe eccentriclbearing pin 141 in an arc, the'sweep of which isr Shown by comparingFigs. 5 and 5a. In one phaseof its movement the squeeze lever is movedby its cam toits lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 5. '1

This a'rirn, because it has then rotated the eccentric 162to'the'fullline yposition of Fig. 7a, exerts a powerful'force,clrawing'throlle'r 147 inwardly against the notch 1'23. Atth'is time the'two' arms 142 and 1,70 act in the manner of a toggle, which isoperative after the head is lowered and 'after the arm 142,Y has movedinto position with the roller '1`47'over the seat 123. A t this time,the arm 142 is erect, the roller 178 is beneath and inside of itsoperating cam,V and the arm 170 has moved intothe position shown indotted lines in Fig. 5. If now the arm 170`is moi/,ed downwardly, to thefull line position shown in Fig.v 5 the rotation of the eccentric 162vwill draw thev roller- 147 against the seat with a powerful squeezingeffect. This operation is performed by the camV mechanisrn to described.This camming effect continues the gun'hasbeen fired, whereuponthe lever170 'is shortly after the movement of the unlocking-position." i

'f'rno'e'rn' isjfreeq, which 14 Gir This peculiar action is imparted chethe isqueeze lever V 170y to first raise the roller 147y emjbf 1.119@ver 110 essai-S in. interv-a1. hears-6.13 the flfse and. a' wir 1-a...het

the closure is positioned over the mouth of the gun. The purpose of themovement of the squeeze lever is twof fold, inthat the lever 170 isrocked to bring the upper end of lever 142 over the end of the closurearm 121 and, at the same time, the roller 147 is lifted over the end ofthe arm to later seat in the groove 123.

After the gun is red, the roller 178 is picked up by a second section ofthe cam track, riding on the outside of the track, and is graduallyraised to the position shown in Fig. 5a, which is at a pomt just beforethe gun reaches the twelve oclock position in its cycle of rotation. Atthis time the gun closure has been lowered over the mouth of the gun.The eccentric 162 is now rotated so that instead of drawing the arm 142toward the axis of the turret it moves the arm 142 outwardly to clearthe roller 147 so that 1t may move across the end of the arm 121 inposition to be subsequently moved into the groove 123. At this time, theroller 154 is free of its cam track and the arm 142 stands outwardly inthe position shown in Fig. 5a.

As the squeeze lever 170 approaches the top of its movement, the armsthereof strike lugs 179 welded to the arms 142. Continued upwardmovement of the squeeLc-e lever, acting through the lugs 179 rocks thelever 142 in the direction of the arrowv at the top of Fig. 5a to movethe lever to the position shown in Fig. 5. At the end of this movementthe section of the cam track which has raised the squeeze leverterminates and the other section of the cam track takes over, the roller178 passing beneath that section to draw the closure against the mouthof the gun in the manner described.

The closure bumper A closure or head assembly is quite heavy, as it mustbe to resist the pressures within the gun. Also, the force of theexplosion is violent, so that the head is thrown outwardly with greatforce. As the guns are being tired at intervals of less than a minute,the accumulated effects of the blows require that adequate means beprovided to stop the head and to absorb the shocks so that the machinewill not be shaken to pieces. lt is also necessary to hold the head fromrebounding.

To meet these conditions, the mechanism new to be described has beendesigned, particular reference being made to Figs. l and 2, which showthe bumper mechanism in relation to the machine, and Figs. 10 to 13,inclusive, which show details thereof.

At the tiring or explosion point A, and on the overhanging portion ofbeam 1, is located a bumper block 182 preferably of a hard rubbercomposition adapted to withstand the repeated blows as the caps 136 ofthe several guns are thrown against it. This bumper is located in asocket on the face of a heavy metal block 183 and is held in position bytransverse bolts 185 which pass through the ibase of the bumper. Angularbrackets 186 are attached to the sides of the blockA 183 and overlap thetwo vertical edges of the bumper.

The'bloc'k 183 is welded on the end` of a lever arm 138 which is bracedby a central rib 189 and is provided at al midway point with a verticalbearing sleeve 190. This bearing sleeve ts over and is keyed to avertical shaft 192, located at the side of the beam 1. Upper and lowerbearing plates 194 are tixed 'to the upper and lower'sur faces of thebeam 1 and are connected by a bearing' which is adapted to absorb muchof the shock imparted to the arm by the head. To the inside of the block198 is welded a deep cup `200 and to the inner face of the beam 1 iswelded a plate 201, to the upper end of which iSv-welded a secendcup 202facing t-'e cup A heavy compression shock Vabscnfbing spring 204 isvlocated beltlwen the cups and serves to cushion the blows of the ea s. Yj As a further means for cushioning the blows and to snub the recoil ofthe bumper assembly, an arm 206 is keyed to the lower end of the shaft192. This arm extends to a point near'the axis of the turret, where itis connected by a link 267 to a shock absorber 208 secured to theunderside of beam 1. (SeeFig. 3.)

The bumper mechanism just described ,is an eective means of absorbingthe .repeated shocks delivered by the heads as they fly open Vwhen theguns reach the firing station.

As indicated above, it is necessary to provide means for catching thehead so that .it does not rebound, but will be held in fully openposition shown in Fig. 2 after firing. The purpose is not only to holdthe head from rebounding, but also to insure that the head will be inthe correct position to engage the cam track (to be described), whichlowers the heads over the mouths of the guns as the turret T continuesits rotation.

The outer end of the arm 121 just beyond the groove 123 is formed, asshown in Fig. 3. This is the surface which is caught by the closureholding means. This means comprises a heavy, hook-shaped arm 210, thehooked end of which is beveled and lies in the path of thearm 121as thehead llies open. The inner end of the arm 210 is split and held bybolts211 on the upper end of a vertical shaft 212 which is rotatable inaligned bearings 214. Bearings 214 are Welded to the upper and lowerhorizontal surfaces of a channel shaped bracket 215, secured to the lefthand end of the beam 1 by plate 216 and resting against the outer faceof the channel cross beam 3.

Over the lower end of the shaft 212, below the lower bearing 214, isfitted the end of a sleeve 217 having welded thereto an arm 218 andiixed to the shaft by setscrew 219.

To the end of arm 218 is welded a cup 220. To the inner vertical web ofthe cross beam 3 is welded a` plate 222 and on this'plate is xed a cup221 facing the cup 220. A compression spring 224 is located between thetwo cups and tends to hold the hook 210 in position to engage the heads120. A set screw 225, which is threaded in a plate 226 attached to theouter face of the beam 1 limits the inner swinging movement of the hookassembly, lock nuts 227 holding the set screw from shifting. The degreeof compression of the spring 224 is regulated by a plate 229 set in thebottom of the cup 221 and adjusted by the set screw 230 and lock nut231.

The spring 224 is` suiciently strong so that the instant a gun closureiiies open, the hook 216 will yield to pass the end of the arm 120 andsnap back behind the arm to retain the head in its open position. As theturret rotates, the closure will pass above the hook, but it will thenbe guided by the closure operating cams `as indicated above.

This closure retaining means will function properly in almost all casesbut occasionally a closure will not be caught by the hook, in which casethe head may stand in a partially open or ajar position and cause injuryto the machine as it is carried upwardly. To prevent an accident of thisnature, one of the closure operating cams is provided with an extensionwhich projects into the path of a. partially open gunclosure and acts toshut the head against the mouth of the gun and in such position thecontinued rotation of the turret will dono injury to the machine.

The closure operating cams (a) The head closing camszgtarting with a gunat the firing position and with the head standing at the angle shown atthe right of Fig. 2, where it is engaged by the hook 210, the rstconsideration is to insure that the head stays in that position untilafter it has passed the loading station B and then to lower the headover the mouth of the gun.

abrupt inward cam surface 250, 15'

For this purpose there is provided along cam `rail or cam track 240, thelower end of which is at the hook 210, in position to engage the outerend of the arm 121 as the turret rotates. This rail in side elevation asshown in Fig. l is concentric to the axis of the turret and the headslides along this cam in fully opened position until it reaches theloading point. At this point the side of the cap 136 strikes anddepresses the switch 14, which is in the path of the head, and themeasured charge of material is Vemptied into the gun. At this point,looking at the top of the cam rail 240 in Fig. 1, the rail curvesinwardly for an arc suicient to overbalance the head, which will nowmove by gravity to its closed position.

The cam rail 240 is ixedrin position by arms 241 and 242 attached to theadjacent members 8 and 10, respectively, of the superstructure.

lt is desirable not to'permit the head to fall freely but to lower iteasily onto the end of the gun. For this purpose, a second cam rail 244is provided, spaced from the rail 240 and welded to the upper crossmember 10 of the superstructure. Looking at the rail 244 from above, itfollows the curvature of the rail 240 but extends beyond the far end ofthat rail. Looking at this cam 'rail 244 from the side, it graduallyapproaches the center of the machine and its purpose is'to receive thearm 120 after the head has been overbalanced by the rail 240 and tosupport the head While it gradually lowers onto the mouth of the gun.Closing of the head occurs at the time the gun reaches the uppermost or12 oclock position in the cycle of the turret.

Reference has been made to the fact that the gun closure may not becaught by the hook 210 and instead of closing against the mouth of thegun it may assume a dangerous position partially closed. In such case,the head should be moved to fully closed position before the gun movesto the loading position. For this purpose, the cam rail 244 is providedwith a rearward extension 245 which is curved downwardly and toward thecenter line of the machine in position so that any partially open headwill strike against the underside of the extension and be moved to fullyclosed position. The conguration of this extension will be understood bycomparing the showing thereof in Figs. l, 2 and 3. As the loading switch14 lies in'the path of the cap 136 when the closure is open, the loaderwill not operate while this particular gun is passing the loading point,but the locking mechanism will function to close and lock the empty gunso that it will go through the cycle and be tired idly.

(b) The locking arm cfzm.-This is composed of two cam rails and a camplate which act upon the several cam rollers 154 to rock the arms 142between the head locking position shown in Figs. 3 and 5 and at theright hand sid of Fig. 2 and the head releasing position shown at theleft of Fig. 2. Each arm 142 remains in the former position from thetime that the head is lowered at the top of a gun cycle until the gunreaches the tiring point, when it is quickly withdrawn, permitting theexplosion'to take place. For the balance of the cycle, the arm remainsin its outer position and is therefore free so that the squeeze levermay operate thereon when it is raised, as shown in Fig.V 5a and aspreviously described.

This cam assembly is best shown in Figs. 3 and 9. It comprises two railslocated between the turret T and the turret drive mechanism. The railtoward the rear of the machine is given the reference numeral 246. Thisrail is a full `circle and is supported on the framework by a cam plate247 which is arcuate in form and extends over that portion of the cyclebetween the six oclock and twelve oclock positions, as will be seen fromFig. 8. The rail 246 is secured to the plate 247 by bolts 248, and theplate 247 is welded to the framework. The edge of the plate 247 towardthe turret follows the edge of the rail' 246 to the iiring point, Whereit is formed with a relatively shown in Fig. 9. From that point to thetwelve oclock position, the edge of the plate lies in the inward planeand then the edge of the plate is terminated by the abrupt outward slope251 (Fig. 2).

The outer rail of this cam mechanism is given the reference numeral 253.It is attached to and carried in spaced relation to the rail 246 bycross straps 254 bolted to the rails. This cam rail extends from a pointadjacent the upper end of the plate 247 to just short of the firingpoint, where it terminates in a surface 255 parallel to the surfacev251) on the plate 247. The opposing faces of the rails 246 and 253 arespaced apart to receive the rollers 154 and are parallel. Their functionis to hold the lever arms 142 in locking position during the time thatthe grain is treated. As the rail 253 terminates' just short of thefiring point, it allows the surface 250 to move the cam rollers 154outwardly, releasing the gun heads. This movement of the cam rollers 154is shown in Fig. 9. As the several rollers 154 approach the top of thecycle, they are lowered to their locking position by riding down thesurface 251. This restores the roller 147 to position in register withthe groove 123.

(c) The squeeze m'm cam-This cam is made in two sections, one of whichis given the reference numeral 258 and the other the reference numeral260. The section 258 extends from the firing point to the top of thecycle at the point Where the gun closure is moved against the mouth ofthe gun. Looking at this section of the cam rail from side elevation, asin Fig. 1, it starts from a point near the axis of the turret andgradually diverges therefrom to its upper end. At the upper end, therail is bent inwardly sharply, as shown at 258a. This section issupported from the frame by welding its lower end to the beam 2 andwelding it at a midway point to an angular bracket 259 fastened to aoverhead angle iron 10.

The roller 178 on the end of the squeeze lever 170 rides on top of thissection of the cam, being picked up by the rail. as the gun moves fromfiring position. Its function is to rock the squeeze lever in the mannershown in Fig. 5a, which movement in turn rocks the lever 142 and at thesame time raises it so that the roller 147 may move into the groove 123.When the gun has reached a point opposite the upper end of the rail 258,the roller 154 enters the space between the edges of the earn rails 246Vand 253, and these cams hold the lever 142 in its locked position. Aninspection of Fig. 2 will show the relationship of the terminus of thecam rail 258 and the beginning of the slot between the cams 246 and 253.

As the roller 17S leaves the rail 258, it is delivered to the camsection 26), the receiving end of this cam rail 269 being curvedoutwardly sharply at 260er to receive the roller 17S. The roller 178rides beneath the cam rail 260.

The function of this section 266 of the squeeze cam is to act on therollers 17S to move the arms 170 toward the arms 142 and exert thetoggle action which draws the roller 147 `down onto the seat 123. Itsactive period is from just after the arms 142 are moved to locking pcsition` until shortly after the guns reach the tiring point.

The rail 260 is shown in side elevation in Fig. l and in plan in Fig. 2.The rail is attached to the framework at various points Where itintersects the several members thereof by means of a plurality ofbrackets which are giventhe reference numerals 261 and are either boltedto adjacent parts of the frame or welded thereto. The brackets are allwelded to the rail.

Looking at the rail 260 as shown in Fig. l, it has a rather short abruptsection 262 which approaches the axis of the turret and from this pointthe rail is con-V centric with the axis of the turret until it reaches apoint 263 just past the firing point, which is also just after theroller 154 has been acted on by the cam surfaces 250 and 255. Thepurpose of the section 262 is to exert the squeeze on the gun closureand the balance of the .cam section 260 is to hold it in that position.The reason why the release of the' roller 178 is delayed' momentarilylocking levers, squeeze after the cam surfaces 250 and 255 have acted isto in-v sure a sudden release of the gun closure. To be effective, thegun closure must not be allowed to open slowly because the explosiveeffect will be dissipated and the hold# ing of the gun closure by theend 263 of the rail during the period that the roller 147 is movingthrough the cam sections 254) and 255 is to insure a sudden release ofthe closure. By extending the cam rail 260 to the point 263, the inwardpressure is maintained on the closure until the rollerV 147 has passedoff the end of the arm 121. Were this inward squeeze not maintained, theclosure would tend to crack open during the period that the roller 147is moving from its seat in the groove 123 to the end of the arm and thepressure in the' gun would be largely dissipated before the instant ofring.

This provision for preventing loss of pressure in the gun during theperiod that the cam surfaces 250 and 255V are shifting the closurelocking means from fully locked to fully released position is animportant feature of the invention and one which makes it possible tohave an instantaneous release of the gun closure, although the gun is inmotion at the time.

Rsum

The operation of the gun will be understood from the description whichhas been given and only a brief rsum will be given.

In regular operation, the guns pass in succession into the loading zonewith their heads raised and held in raised position by the cam rails 240and 244. The caps 136 Will strike the switch 14 and a measured charge ofthe material will pass into each gun, the rate at which the gun passesthe spout 13 permitting the whole charge to pass into the gun withoutloss. The heads will now be lowered onto the guns and the locking arms142 and the squeeze arms will come into play, actuated by theirrespective cam devices.

During the travel up to this point, steam has been shut off from theguns over the ports 71 leading to the guns that are in this portion ofthe cycle, but preferably just before vany gun reaches the top ofthecycle the port to that gun will pass beyond the end of the plate 105 tofill the gun with live steam.

The guns, the heads of which are now firmly locked,- continue throughthe balance of the cycle, pressure building up in the guns, thoroughlytreating the contents and preparing them for the explosion. As the gunsreach the firing point, the locking mechanism is released and the headsily open, discharging the material which is puffed by the sudden releaseof pressure.

One of the problems solved by the invention is the instantaneous releaseof the gun closures, which is necessary to secure the explosion uponwhich the puffing of the material depends. In the old single guns, whichare stationary at all times, the head is released by a hammer blowdelivered against the head lock, and in the vprior Andrews Patent2,414,185, the gun is stationary during the firing operation. However,when a continuously rotating turret was developed, in which'the closurelocking mechanism is released by a cam operative through rotation of theturret, the problem of obtaining the instantaneous release of theclosure was encountered'. This problem. was solved by the ingeniouscombination of levers and camrails operating in the manner described.

At the ring point, the gun hook 210 and the force of the head is takenby the bumper 182 and absorbed by the 'mechanism associated with thebumper. The' blow delivered by the locking `lever is also absorbed by:the bumper block 157. The heads are held 'open until they pass byrotation of the turret above the hook 210, where they pass onto the' camrails 24,0 and 244 and the cycle vstarts over again. ln the event thehook doesnot- Work heads are caught by the blow delivered by the gun bythe interposition of the plate 13 properly, the cam section 245 comesinto play, as has been described.

The plate 105 shuts of steam to the guns at the firing point, although abrief shot of steam after the instant of lring is desirable to scavengeeach gun.

An extremely efficient and economical pulfmg machine has been perfected,which will greatly reduce the cost of production of puffed materials andis particularly adapted for the treatment of edible grains. Thepreheating which Vis desrably used in connection with this machineimproves the product and contributes to the efliciency of the machine.

While the machine is primarily designed for the pulling of ediblegrains, such as wheat, rice, and corn, it may be used for pulling othermaterials which can be treated in a manner similar to that used for thetreating of cereals. Therefore, in the claims, where the expressioncereals or the like is used, this expression is intended to include notonly edible grains but any other materials which may be expanded by theuse of the machine. For example, minerals which are exploded to increasetheir bulkfor heat insulating purposes may be treated in the machine. YWhat is claimed is:

1. A machine for treating cereals or the like comprising a turret, meansto rotate the turret continuously, a plurality of treating chambers onthe turret, movable closures atthe ends of the chambers, means to admitsteam to the interiors of the chambers while they are rotating, meanslocated in the cycle of the turret acting on the closures to bring themsuccessively onto the ends of the chambers and lock them in thatposition while the turret is rotating, and means operated by therotation of the turret to release the closures at a further point in thecycle of the turret.

2. A machine for treating cereals or the like comprising a turret, meansto rotate the turret continuously, a plurality of treating chambers onthe turret, movable closures at the ends of the chambers, means to admitsteam to the interiors of the chambers while they are rotating, and camsacting upon the closures and operative on rotation of the turret to movethe closures successively onto the ends of the chambers at one point inthe cycle of the turret and at a further point in the cycle of theturret to release the closures instantaneously While the turret isrotating.

3. A machine for treating cereals or the like comprising a turret, meansto rotate the turret continuously, a plurality of treating chambers onthe turret, movable closures at the ends of the chambers, means to admitsteam to the interiors of the chambers while they are rotating, astationary cam in the path of the closures operative by rotation of theturret to move the closures successively on to the mouths of thechambers, and a second cam to release the closures instantaneouslyduring further rotation of the turret.

4. A machine for treating cereals or the like comprising a. turret,means to rotate the turret continuously, a plurality of guns on theturret, a pivoted head on each gun, a locking device on each gun, meanslocated at one point in the cycle ofthe turret and` operative while theturret is in motion to close the headon each gun, and means operativethereafter to actuate the locking device to lock the head -against thegun while the turret is rotating, and meansoperative at a further pointand while the turret is in motion in the cycle to release the lockingmeans instantaneously.

5. A machine in accordance with claim 4 in which the means to close theheads is a cam located beside the turret in the path of the heads.

6. A machine in accordance with claim 4 in which the means to actuatethe locking device and to thereafter release it is a cam located besidethe turret in the path of the locking device.

7. A machine for treating cereals or the like comprising a turret,meansto rotate the turret continuously, a plurality of guns on the turret,individual conduits to admit heating uidto each gun, a pivoted head oneach gun, locking `arm` on each gun movable to and from a position overthe head when it is closed against the end of the gun, a cam operativeduring the rotation of the turret to lowei each headl onto the end ofits gun as it reaches one point in the cycle of revolution of theturret, a second cam operative thereafter to shift the locking arm overthe head while theturret vis rotating, and a cam operative by therotation lof the turret at a further point in the cycle of the turret toshift the locking device from locking position and permit each head toily open by the pressure in its gun.

8. In a machine for puffing cereals or the like, a continuouslyrotatable turret, `means to rotate the turret, a plurality of guns onthe turret, a head at the end of each gun,r a locking lever pivoted oneach gun, cam means operative during the rotation of the turret to lowerthe heads successively over the mouths of the guns as they pass onepoint in: the cycle, and cam means operated thereafter during therotation of the turret to move the locking lever over the gun head,means operative to draw the end of the lockinglever into tightengagement with the head of each gun, and means to actuate said'drawingmeans operative during the rotation of theturret.

'9.. In a machine for puffing cereals or the like,a rotatableturret,`means to rotate the turret, a plurality of guns on the turret, ahead at the end of each gun, a toggle on each gum-means .operative tolower the heads successively overthe mouths of the guns, means operativeduring rotation of the turret to shift one arm of the toggle over thehead of its' gun and thereafter to actuate the toggle to draw therendofthe'arm against the closed head.

. 10. In a machine for pulling cereals or the like, a rotatable turret,means to rotate. the turret, a plurality of guns on the turret, a headat the end of each gun, a toggle on t each` gun, means operative tolower the heads successively over` the mouths of the guns, meansoperative during rotation of theturret to shift onetarmof the toggle'over the head of its .gun and thereafter to actuate the toggle to drawthe' end ofthe arm against the closed head, and means to shift thetoggle off the head at a later point in the cycle of the turret. l i

1l. A machine in accordance with claim 9 in which'the means foractuating thetoggle are cam rails at the` side of the turret over whichthe members of the toggle move during rotation of the turret. Y Y

l2. In a machine for puffing cereals or the like, a movable treatingchamber, a closure for the treating chamber, a4 toggle on the* treatingchamber, one arm of 'the toggle being movable to bring the end of thearm into locking position over the closure, and a second arm of thetoggle movable toward the rst said arm to draw the end of the first armagainst the closure, and means to actuate the armsof the togglesuccessively during movement of the chamber.

13. In a machine for pulling cereals or the like, a treating chamber,`avconduit to pass steam into the chamber, a pivoted closure for the mouthof the treating chamber, means to move the closure over the mouth of thechamber, a lever at the side of the treating chamber, an eccentric pivotpin on which said lever moves to shift the end of the lever toward andfrom a position over the closure, a second lever attached to the pivotpin, and means for moving the second lever to rotate the pivot pinV anddraw the end ofthe first named lever against the closure.-v

14. In a machine for puffing cereals or the like, a rotatableturret,treating chambers on the turret, means to rotate the turretcontinuously, chambers on the turret, conduits to pass steam into thetreating chambers, a pivoted closure for each'chamber, means to moveeach `closure over its chamber during the rotation ofk the turret, alever at theside of the treating chamber, an eccentric pivot pin onwhich the lever moves to shift theV end of the lever toward and fromaposition over the closure, pin, 4means-operative at one point duringthe cycle of a plurality of treatingV a second lever `attached to thepivot- 15 the turret to rock the first said lever to bring its end overthe closure, and means also operative during the rotation of the turretand when the end of the iirst lever is over the closure to move thesecond lever to rotate the pivot pin and draw the end of the first namedlever against the closure.

15. A machine in accordance with claim 14 in which the means for movingboth said levers are cam tracks located at the side of the turret overwhich said levers move during the rotation of the turret.

16. In a machine for pufling cereals or the like, a rotatable turret,treating chambers on the turret, means to rotate the turretcontinuously, a plurality of treating chambers on the turret, conduitsto pass steam into the treating chambers, a pivoted closure for eachchamber, means to move each closure over its chamber during the rotationof the turret, a lever at the side of the treating chamber, an eccentricpivot pin` on which the lever moves to shift the end of the lever towardand from a position over the closure, a second lever attached to thepivot pin, means operative at one point during the cycle of the turretto rock the first said lever to bring its end over the closure, meansalso operative during the rotation of the turret and when the end of therst lever is overy the closure to move the second lever to rotate thetirst pin and draw the end of the first named lever .against theclosure, and means operative at another point in the cycle of the turretto rock the tirst named lever to release the closure. f

i7. In a machine for putting cereals or the like, a rotatable turret, aplurality of guns radiating from the turret, closures movable yover theguns, means at one point in the cycle of the turret to move each closureagainst the mouth of its gun and to lock the closure against the gun,means at another point in the cycle to release the closure of each gun,a steam conduit connected to each gun, a single steam supply chambercornmunicating with all of said conduits, and means operative by therotation of the turret to close the conduits leading to theguns whilethe closures for those guns are open. v

18. In a machine for putting` cereals or the like, a rotatable turret, aplurality of guns radiating from the turret, closures ymovable over theguns, means at one point in the cycle of the turret to move each closureagainst the mouth of its gun and to, lock the closure against the gun,means at another point in the cycle to release the closure of each gun,a steam conduit connected to each gun, an annular steam supply chambercommunicating with all of said conduits, and a block in said chamberclosing the conduit which leads to each gun while the closure on thatgun` is open.

19. In a machine for puiling cereals or the like, a rotatable turret, aplurality of guns radiating from the turret, closures movable over theguns, means kat one point in the cycle of the turret to move eachclosure against the mouth of its gun and to lock the closure against thegun, means at another point in the cycle to release the closure of eachgun, a steam conduit connected to each gun, an annular steam supplychamber communicating with all of said conduits, a block in said chamberclosing the conduit which leads to each gun while the closure on thatgun is open, and means for shiftingV the position of said block.

20. A machine for puffing cereals or the like, cornprising a turret,means to rotate the turret continuously, an open en ded chamber on theturret, means to admit uid pressure to the interior of the chamberduring rotation of the turret, a closure at the mouth of the chamber,means to move the closure over the mouth of the chamber, at, one p ointin the cycle of the turret, a lock movable over thev closure after it isin contact w-ith the. chamber, means acting on the lock, immediatelyafter it has moved over the closure to d raw lthe closure to a`lipid-tighttit against the mouth of the chamber,

means to shift the lock off the closure at another point in the cycle ofthe turret, said drawing means being operative from the time that thelock has been drawn against the closure until the lock has freed theclosure.

2l. A machine for pulling cereals or the like comprising a turret, meansto rotate the turret continuously, an open ended chamber on the turret,means to admit uid pressure to the interior of the chamber duringrotation of the turret, a closure at the mouth of the chamber, means tomove the closure over the mouth of the chamber, at one point in thecycle of the turret, a lock movable over the closure after it is incontact with the chamber, means acting on the lock immediately after ithas moved over the closure to draw thel closure to a fluid-tight fitagainst the mouth of the chamber, a cam to shift the lock oi the closureat another point inthe cycle of the turret, and means to hold thedrawing means against the closure while the cam is shifting the lock.

22. A machine as described in claim 20 in which the turret is providedwith a plurality of chambers, each of said chambers having a closurelock and drawing means associated therewith.

23. A machine for treating cereals or the like cornprising a turret,means to rotate the turret continuously, a plurality of open endedtreating chambers on the turret, pivoted closures at the mouths of thechambers, means at one point in the cycle of the turret to move aclosure over the mouth of each chamber, each chamber having a lockinglever pivoted thereon, a squeeze lever connected to the locking lever,means acting on the locking lever to move it over the closure after theclosure is moved over the mouth of its chamber, and means acting on thesqueeze lever thereafter to draw the closure in fluidtight contact withthe mouth of the chamber, means at a later point in the cycle of thechamber to shift the locking lever oi the closure, said squeeze leveractuating meansbeing operative until the lever has cleared the closure.

24. A machine for treating cereals or the like comprising a turret,means to rotate the turret continuously, a plurality of open endedtreating chambers on the turret, pivoted closures at the mouths of thechambers, means at one point in the cycle of the turret to move aclosure over the mouth of each chamber, each chamber having a lockinglever pivoted thereon, a squeeze lever connected to the locking lever, acam alongside the turret to move the'locking lever over the closureafter'the closure is moved over the mouth of its chamber, a second camacting on the squeeze lever thereafter to draw the closure in huid-tightcontact with the mouth of the chamber, a third cam at a later point inthe cycle of the chamber to shift the locking lever `oti its closure,said second cam being operative during the period that the third cam isoperative.

25. The combination of a continuously rotating turret, a plurality ofopen-ended chambers on the turret, a closure for themouth of eachchamber, and means acting during the rotation of the turret to performthe following acts upon each closure in the order named: (1) to move theclosure over the lmouth of its chamber; (2) to block outward movement ofthe closure; (3) to draw the closure into fluid-tight contact with themouth of the charnber', (4) to unblock the closure; and (5,) to releasethe drawing means; a steam conduit connected with each chamber, andmeans to open the conduit to admit steam to the Achamber during theperiod that the closure is over the mouth of the Chambere Y 26. Thecombination of a continuously rotating turret, a plurality of open-endedchambers on the turret, a closure for the mouth of each chamber, andcams at the sides of the turrets, said cams being operative during therotation of the turret to perform the following acts upon each closurein the order named: (l) to move the closure over the mouth of itschamber; (2)*tol block outward movement of the closure; (3) to draw theclosure into the niiit'fr' if the chamber; (4) and release the drawingmeans; a lsteam conduit ec'niiec'tdl with each chamber, and means toopen the conduit t' admit steam' to the chamber dui-ing the periodt-liatth closure is over the mouth of the chamber.-

27. The combination of a continuously rotating turret, a plurality ofopen-ended chambers on the turret, a closure for the mouth of eachmember, a locking lever movable over the closure, and means actingduring the rotation of the turret to perform the following acts in theorder named: (1) to move the closure over the mouth of its chamber; (2)to move the locking lever over the closure; (3) to draw the lockinglever against the closure; (4) to shift the locking lever oir theclosure; and (5) to release the drawing means; a steam conduit connectedto each chamber, and means to close the conduit during the period in thecycle of the turret when the closure is out of contact with the mouthsof the chambers.

28. The combination of a continuously rotating turret, a plurality ofopen-ended chambers on the turret, a closure for the mouth of eachchamber, a locking lever movable over the closure, and cams at the sidesof the turret, said cams being operative during the rotation of theturret to perform the following acts in the order named: l) to move theclosure over the mouth of its chamber; (2) to move the locking leverover the closure; (3) to draw the locking lever against the closure; (4)to shift the locking lever off the closure; and (5) to release thedrawing means; a steam conduit connected to each chamber, and means toclose the conduit during the period in the cycle of the turret when theclosure is out of contact with the mouths of the chambers.

29. In a machine for puiing cereals or the like, the combination of anopen-ended chamber, means for admitting steam to the interior of thechamber, a pivoted arm on the chamber, a threaded sleeve on the arm, aclosure for the open end of the chamber, a stem on the closure looselyreceived in the sleeve, a rounded domeshaped bearing on the top of theclosure, an abutment on the outer end of the stem, the underside of theabutment having a concave socket, the ends of the sleeve having roundedinner and outer surfaces bearing upon the dome-shaped bearing and theinner side of the abutment, respectively, and means to rock the armtoward and from the open end of the chamber.

30. In a machine for puiiing cereals or the like, the combination of anopen-ended chamber, means for admitting steam to the interior of thechamber, a pivoted arm on the chamber, a threaded sleeve on the arm, aclosure for the open end of the chamber, a stem ou the closure looselyreceived in the sleeve, a rounded domeshaped bearing on the top of theclosure, an adjustable abutment on the outer end of the stem, a roundedconcave surface on the inner side of said abutment, the ends of thesleeve having concave bearing surfaces to lit the domeshaped bearing onthe closure and the concave surface on the abutment, respectively, andmeans to hold the abutment in position on the stem to allow a limitedaxial movement of the stem in the sleeve, and means to rock the armtoward and from the open end of the chamber.

3l. Apparatus for treating materials, comprising an open ended chamber,a conduit for admitting fluid pressure to the chamber, a pivoted closuremovable over the end of the chamber, a lever pivoted adjacent thechamber one end of which is movable over the closure to lock the closureagainst the end of the chamber, a second lever pivoted to the lirstlever, means acting on the first lever to remove the end thereof fromthe closure, and means acting on the second lever to move the end of therst lever over the closure and then to draw the end of the rst leveragainst the closure.

32. Apparatus for treating materials comprising an open ended chamber, aconduit for admitting steam to the chamber, a pivoted closure movableover the end of Huid-tight e'ntaet with to unblock the closure;

the chanib, a` lever ant the chamber, one end of which is mobl over thclsur to lock the closure against-the end of the chamber, an eccentricpivot pin for the said lever, a second lever connected to the pin, meansend of the rst lever over the closure, and additional means acting onthe iirst lever arm to remove the end thereof from the closure.

34. Apparatus for treating materials comprising a rotatable turret,means for rotating the turret, an open ended chamber on the turret, aconduit for admitting steam to the chamber, a pivoted closure for theend of the chamber, a lever on the chamber, one end of which is movableover the closure to lock the closure against the end of the chamber, asecond lever pivoted to the first lever, means acting on the iirst leverto remove the end thereof from the closure, and means acting on thesecond lever to move the end of the first lever over the closure anddraw the end of the iirst lever toward the closure, all of the aforesaidmeans being operative during rotation of the turret.

35. Apparatus for treating materials comprising a rotatable turret,

over the end of the chamber, a lever on the chamber one end of which ismovable over the closure to lock the closure against the end of thechamber, an eccentric pivot pin for the said lever, a second leverconnected to the pin, means to rock the second lever in one direction todraw the end of the first lever against the closure, and

36. Apparatus for treating tatable turret, means for rotating theturret, an open closure, an eccentric pivot pin for the said lever, asecond lever connected to the pin, means to rock the second lever in onedirection to draw the end of the tirst lever against the closure, andmeans to rock the second lever in the opposite direction to move the endof the first lever over the closure, all of the aforesaid means beingoperative during rotation or" the turret.

37. An apparatus in accordance with claim 34 in which the level`actuating means are stationary cams over which the levers move duringrotation of the turret.

38. An apparatus in accordance with claim 35 which the lever actuatingmeans are stationary cams over which the levers move during rotation ofthe turret.

39. An apparatus in accordance with claim 36 in which the leveractuating means are stationary cams over which the levers move duringrotation of the turret.

(References on following page) 9 References Cited in the le of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS Collins Feb. 9, 1864 Flanders Nov. 30, 1880Plews May 3, 1938 Thwaits Apr. 18, 1939 James Aug. 6, 1940 20 ChestermanFeb. 24, 1942 Hayden Apr. 14, 1942 Moreland et al. July 14, 1942 AndrewsJan. 14, 1947 Chapman et al. Ian. 30, 1951 Buekberg Dec. 18, 1951

1. A MACHINE FOR TREATING CEREALS OR THE LIKE COMPRISING A TURRET, MEANSTO ROTATE THE TURRET CONTINUOUSLY, A PLURALITY OF TREATING CHAMBERS ONTHE TURRET, MOVABLE CLOSURES AT THE ENDS OF THE CHAMBERS, MEANS TO ADMITSTEAM TO THE INTERIORS OF THE CHAMBERS WHILE THEY ARE ROTATING, MEANSLOCATED IN THE CYCLE OF THE TURRET ACTING ON THE CLOSURES TO BRING THEMSUCCESSIVELY ONTO THE ENDS OF THE CHAMBERS AND LOCK THEM IN THATPOSITION WHILE THE TURRET IS ROTATING, AND MEANS OPERATED BY THEROTATION OF THE TURRET TO RELEASE THE CLOSURES AT A FURTHER POINT IN THECYCLE OF THE TURRET.